Poverty and living standards in Sendai, Japan: official figures
45.0% of private households in Sendai were one-person households at the 2020 census (236,238), 16th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (38.0%).
How many older people live alone in Sendai?
9.1% of private households in Sendai were people aged 65 or over living alone at the 2020 census (47,615 households), 22nd lowest of 262 cities, below the national figure (12.1%).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many elderly couples live alone in Sendai?
48,502 households in Sendai were couples living alone together with the husband aged 65 or over and the wife 60 or over, and 94,106 were nuclear-family households including someone aged 65 or over (2020 census).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many people rent their home in Sendai?
46.5% of occupied homes in Sendai were rented in 2023 (248,500 of 534,100) and 49.1% were owned, with rented share 17th highest of 262 cities.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big are homes in Sendai?
The average home in Sendai had 78.4 square metres of floor space in 2023, 48th lowest of 262 cities.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many homes in Sendai lack flush toilets?
5,788 residents of Sendai (about 0.5% of the population) were not on flush toilets in 2023: they used vault toilets emptied by the municipality or treated waste themselves.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow Sendai compares with other cities in Japan
Older people (65+) living alone, share of private households (2020 census)
Sendai ranks 241 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Older people (65+) living alone, share of private households |
|---|---|---|
| 238 | Oyama | 9.2% |
| 239 | Ginowan | 9.2% |
| 240 | Tokai | 9.1% |
| 241 | Sendai | 9.1% |
| 242 | Komaki | 9.1% |
| 243 | Iwata | 8.9% |
| 244 | Kawasaki | 8.9% |
Rented homes, share of occupied homes (2023)
Sendai ranks 17 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Rented homes, share of occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Sapporo | 47.2% |
| 15 | Koganei | 46.6% |
| 16 | Chofu | 46.6% |
| 17 | Sendai | 46.5% |
| 18 | Mitaka | 46.5% |
| 19 | Suita | 45.3% |
| 20 | Ichikawa | 45.2% |
Average floor space per home (square metres) (2023)
Sendai ranks 215 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average floor space per home (square metres) |
|---|---|---|
| 212 | Matsudo | 78.7 |
| 213 | Fujisawa | 78.7 |
| 214 | Tokorozawa | 78.7 |
| 215 | Sendai | 78.4 |
| 216 | Hachioji | 78.3 |
| 217 | Niiza | 77.7 |
| 218 | Okinawa | 77.7 |
More on Sendai: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in Japan
Sources
- Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Statistical Observations of Municipalities 2026 (social and demographic statistics, city, ward, town and village data), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2cb3d8c51aa1…)
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